Review of Lord Arthur Savile's Crime
 | "Wilde's brilliantly illustrated amoral melodrama" by Jill Lawrie for remotegoat on 07/04/10 |  |
Published while still in his 30's, Oscar Wilde's 'Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and other Stories' embraces the Victorian's fascination with their own destiny. Wilde himself shared this interest in predicting the future and it is thought modeled his character Podgers on Cheiro, a man renowned for his skill in the art of palmistry and showing uncanny accuracy.
The young aristocrat Lord Arthur is on the verge of marriage to the delightful Sybil Merton, However, her over-bearing mother Lady Windermere is highly suspicious of the young man's morals and appoints a clairvoyant to read his palm. Despite a spotless past Podgers foresees that at some point Arthur is destined to commit a murder! Desperate not to slaughter his future wife he temporarily postpones the wedding and the deadly deed is embarked upon at once. Chaos results as he pursues a convenient person to exterminate!
Designer Alexander McPherson has created an elaborate and attractively decorated proscenium arched Victorian theatre complete with a variety of painted backcloths to facilitate the many locations, alongside the integral musical accompaniment.
Christopher Luscombe (Director) produces a highly entertaining light-hearted upper-class comedy. Gary Wilmot takes on the role of the palmist Mr Septimus Podgers and Kate O'Mara gives a bewitching rendition of the sceptical prospective mother-in-law. Nevertheless it is 28 year old Lee Mead who excels, playing the charming and dapper Lord Arthur Savile, a pillar of Victorian society. Having won the BBC show 'Any Dream Will Do' and taken on the lead as Joseph in the West End ('Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat') Mead spent nearly 3 months in New York studying film and theatre. Following this highly impressive transition he returns to musical theatre and the West End once more, to star in 'Wicked' as the character of Fiyero, next month.
(331 words)
Jill Lawrie
| Event Venues & Times | |
| finished | Worthing Connaught Theatre | Union Place, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1LG |
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